Online Workshop: Mental Health First Aid - 26/03/2026

Date: 26/03/2026

Time: 9.30am - 4.30pm AEDT

Become an empowered advocate for mental health within your organisations and communities. Armed with knowledge, compassion and practical skills after completing the training, you’ll be better prepared to make a positive difference in the lives of those struggling with mental health challenges. 

In today's fast-paced world, mental health challenges are increasingly prevalent. The Mental Health First Aid Online Workshop and Self-Paced Learning offers an essential toolkit for individuals to recognise, understand and respond to mental health crises effectively.  

It begins with an exploration of common mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, schizophrenia and psychosis. You’ll gain a deep understanding of the signs and symptoms associated with these conditions, dispelling myths and reducing stigma along the way. 

Through engaging presentations, interactive discussions, and real-life scenarios, you’ll learn practical strategies for providing initial support to someone experiencing a mental health crisis. You’ll develop skills in active listening, empathy, and non-judgmental communication which are important for fostering an environment of trust and understanding. 

The presenter will delve into crisis intervention and casual counselling techniques, explaining how to assess risk, provide reassurance, and connect individuals with appropriate professional help. Role-playing exercises will enable you to practice these skills in a safe and supportive environment, building confidence and competence. 

This training course will equip you with valuable knowledge about self-care and mental wellness practices, emphasising the importance of maintaining your own wellbeing while supporting others. Topics such as stress management, professional boundary-setting, and accessing support resources will be explored in-depth. 

Duration and Format 

This training consists of 5-7 hours of self-paced learning, followed by a full-day online workshop from 9:30am–4:30pm Victorian local time. 

What you’ll learn  

At the end of this training, you'll be able to: 

• recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health problems in adults 

• use an evidence-based action plan to initiate a mental health first aid conversation 

• assess for a range of crisis and non-crisis situations and provide initial support 

• understand the prevalence and impact of mental illnesses, risk factors and treatments and support available 

• apply self-care practices as a Mental Health First Aider. 

Accreditation 

This course is accredited by Mental Health First Aid Australia (MHFA). You can complete the short assessment at the end of a course to become an Accredited Mental Health First Aider (MHFAider). Accreditations are valid for 3 years. 

Who is this workshop for? 

Community organisation workers, school staff, health professionals, youth workers, child and family workers, and counsellors. 

About the presenters 

Felicity Vance is a Lead Programs Facilitator with the Centre for Learning and Innovation. She is a qualified Mental Health First Aid Instructor, holding a range of qualifications including a bachelor’s degree in psychology and business, a Master of Teaching, and qualifications in family and domestic violence practice. Felicity has extensive experience providing services in family violence, mental health, healthy relationships, gender equality, and psychoeducational services. Her experience also includes working with correctional cohorts, where she has facilitated and led programs for individuals engaged with the correctional system and consulted with organisations to improve gender diversity. Felicity is passionate about blending her professional and personal experience to engage people from all walks of life, particularly in the primary prevention area of family violence and mental health. 

Registration information 

• When you register, you'll be taken to our payment gateway to complete your registration. A new account will be automatically created for you in our Learning Management System (Moodle). 

• Registrations for scheduled workshops close 48 hours before the event. 

• Workshops must be paid for at least 2 business days before the training date, or your registration will be cancelled.  

• If paying by invoice, proof of payment needs to be provided at least 24 hours ahead of the event. 

Training Workshops Cancellation Statement [PDF, 1MB]  

Other information 

Please note that you'll need access to the following to participate in this workshop: 

• desktop or laptop computer 

• reliable internet connection 

• headphones recommended 

• microphone/speakers 

• webcam (built-in or external to your computer) 

Contact us 

Centre for Learning and Innovation 
Phone: (03) 8573 2222 
Email: ravtraining@rav.org.au